2004Video Assist and Video Accessories forum
Hard drive and flash-based portable recording devices for on-set video playback and recording on Steadicam rigs
22 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- DV video compression requires hard drives spinning at 7200 RPM or faster to avoid frame drops, making 5400 RPM drives unsuitable for DV recording
- Converting analog video signals like DigiBeta to firewire requires dedicated interface hardware such as analog-to-firewire converters
- Integrating recording technology into monitor or sled electronics is inadvisable because recording hardware evolves much faster than other camera support equipment, leading to premature obsolescence
- Portable media devices originally designed for music or photo storage can function as recording solutions with external power supplies and video input adapters
- Most portable recording devices operate on 5V DC power rather than the 12V DC standard found on Steadicam rigs, requiring external power conversion solutions
- The actual hard drive capacity in small portable recorders became a minor specification compared to factors like physical size, screen quality, battery life, and ease of remote control
- External power supplies and custom interface cables can be engineered to integrate consumer portable recorders into professional sled setups
Depends on
- Discussion centered on early-to-mid 2000s technology when hard drive recorder prices and technology were rapidly changing
- No consensus reached on best practices for integrating portable recorders into professional rigs
- Most devices mentioned were designed for consumer use rather than professional cinema applications
- Battery power limitations of portable recorders were noted as a significant practical constraint